Sun safe babies

Just one bad sunburn can double your baby's chances of developing skin cancer later in life. Jessica Hartshorn, Senior Lifestyle Editor for American Baby tells everything you need to know about keeping your baby safe in the sun.

We all know we should be wearing sunscreen with a good SPF, but what exactly is SPF? SPF stands for sun protection factor and it protects UVB rays, which cause sunburns and skin cancer. It's also important to protect against UVA rays which penetrate deeper into the skin, prompting wrinkles and upping the risk for melanomas. To make sure your baby's sunscreen shields against both types of rays, check the label for the words BROAD SPECTURM or UVA-UVB protection.

So now you need to know what number SPF to use. You may get away with an SPF of 15 for a brief outdoor trip, but babies need an SPF of 30 to 45, especially if he's fair. Anything above SPF 50 will offer scant protection and could tempt you to linger longer in the sun.

Once you have a good sunscreen, you might thing your baby is all set to go outside and play. But, even if you apply sunscreen well some damaging UV light will sneak through. That's why it's best to play outside in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn't as strong. Other smart moves include putting your baby in a wide brimmed hat and UV shielding shades.

It can take up to 30 minutes for your skin to fully absorb sunscreen, so wait at least 30 minutes before going outside. Because sunscreen wears off and breaks down in the sunlight, you must reapply every two hours and after every trip to the water.

Parents using sprays often don't spritz on enough and tend to miss spots, so dermatologists tend to prefer lotions. It's easier to apply a thick even coat. Use a full tablespoon or half a shot glass worth on all exposed parts.

For more information on sun protection for your baby and other parenting tips, click here.